Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
African
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ROBBERS AND ROBBED.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
bewilderednounUS /bewildered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
career
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
curtailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
dealt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
effects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
elbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
endowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
extraordinarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
Ezra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
feeble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
Gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
groan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
junior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
louder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
meandering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
mishap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
narrative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
navvy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
oath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
prostrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
raising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
rivulets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
ROBBED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBBERS AND ROBBED.
ROBBERSnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading ROBBERS AND ROBBED.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
sturdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a groan from the prostrate figure, then a feeble movement, then another and a louder groan, and then an oath.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
vitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ezra, however, was endowed with a rare vitality, which enabled him not only to shake off the effects of his mishap, but to do so in an extraordinarily short space of time.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might perhaps have been as well for the curtailing of this narrative, and for the interests of the world at large if the blow dealt by the sturdy right arm of the navvy had cut short once for all the career of the junior African merchant.
wound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually raising himself upon his elbow, he looked around him in a bewildered way, with his other hand pressed to the wound at the back of his head, from which a few narrow little rivulets of blood were still meandering.